JW stated before a ball was kicked that he wanted to instil a high-energy brand of football to excite the fans at the Riverside, as well as blooding some of the academy players. “We want to get fans on the edge of their seat. We want as many fans back in the stadium as we can by playing attacking, exciting football with high pressure, pressing in different areas
With new additions in Mark Bola from Blackpool & Marcus Browne from West Ham & the promise of more to come it look exciting times on Teesside & a totally different world to what Boro fans had been use to for a good few seasons
It hasn't always gone to plan for Woodgate, has he found the right formula, is he improving in his role, are the Boro
That game certainly indicated what we will see from the Boro this season, errors, silly goals conceded, mused chances & an improvement in the Boro's pattern of play
Newly promoted Luton Town came up as champions from the 1st division & Boro met for the opening weekend fixtures live on sky & which produced a thrilling end to end 3- 3 match
Both teams have struggled at the wrong end of the championship with Boro slowly dragging themselves away from the danger zone, Luton on the other hand have been entranced in the bottom 3 & where I expect they will stay for the remainder of the season
Luton were the final league visitors to Ayresome Park in April 1995 in the emotionally charged stadium
Played / represented Boro & Luton
Bruce Rioch started his career at Luton playing 149 games between 1964-69
Colin Todd finished his playing career at Luton, playing 2 games in 1984
John O'Rourke played 64 games for the Boro & 84 for Luton
Phil Boersma played 47 games for the Boro & 36 for Luton
Chris Kamara played 5 games for the Boro & 49 for Luton
Ben Roberts played 16 games for the Boro & 19 games over two spells for Luton
Marlon Beresford played 10 games for the Boro & 116 for Luton
Thomas Craddock played 4 games for the Boro & 74 for Luton
Signed by Luton during the summer
Martin Cranie Played 9 games for the Boro
Jacob Butterfield Played 31 games for the Boro